Load-bearing and vacuum-resistant containers

ABSTRACT

Containers having improved load-bearing and vacuum-resistance features are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container ( 10 ) having a shoulder ( 16 ) including four faces forming compound-radiused comers at intersections ( 28,30 ) with a body of the container. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container having a shoulder ( 16 ) with four faces, at least two of the four faces having a cut-away ( 32 ) with a shape that is substantially U-shaped. The structural features of the present containers advantageously provide for improved compression capacity and vacuum-resistance when compared to similar containers currently on the market.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to health and nutrition. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to containers having improved load-bearing and vacuum resistance capacities.

Currently, the market comprises many different shapes and sizes of containers capable of housing fluids. The shape and size of fluid containers can depend, among other things, on the amount of fluid to be housed, the type of fluid to be housed, consumer demands and desired aesthetics. For example, toxic fluids may be required to be housed in containers that have thicker walls and a more rigid structure. More often than not, the market for these types of fluids is determined by safety of the containers more so than that container's aesthetics. On the contrary, consumable fluids such as water may be housed in containers that generally have thinner walls and a less rigid structure. Indeed, the market for consumable fluids may be determined by the aesthetics desired by the consumer instead of safety requirements.

Regardless of the specific size and shape of a container, the container should be able to withstand different environmental factors encountered during, for example, manufacturing, shipping and retail shelf stocking or storage. One example of such an environmental factor includes top-loading forces. In this regard, containers may be stacked one on top of another during packaging, shipping and display. Thus, the containers should be manufactured so as to withstand the compressive forces applied by one or more filled containers placed on top of the container without buckling. Accordingly, a need exists for a fluid container having improved structural features as well as desirable aesthetic characteristics.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to load-bearing and/or vacuum-resistant containers for housing liquid products. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container including a body, a neck, and a shoulder between the body and the neck. The shoulder includes four faces arranged in a square pyramid frustum shape, at least two of the four faces having a cut-away portion having a shape that is substantially U-shaped.

In an embodiment, the body has a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, ovoid, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the body is substantially rectangular.

In an embodiment, the body has at least one circumferential rib. The body may also have at least one interrupted rib.

In an embodiment, the body has at least one wall with first and second opposing inwardly-sloped portions. The first and second opposing inwardly-sloping portions may be mirror images of each other and may be reflected about a location on the body corresponding to a circumferential rib.

In an embodiment, the container has a volume ranging from about 100 mL to about 5000 mL.

In an embodiment, the container further includes a structure selected from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, or combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, a container is provided and includes a body, a neck, and a shoulder between the body and the neck. The shoulder includes four faces arranged in a square pyramid frustum shape and forming compound-radiused corners at intersections between the four faces and the body.

In an embodiment, the compound-radiused corners are radiused in a direction selected from the group consisting of horizontal, vertical, or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, each compound-radiused corner includes at least two different radii.

In an embodiment, each of the four faces intersect each other along a rounded edge.

In an embodiment, each of the four faces intersect with the body along a rounded edge.

In an embodiment, the body has a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, ovoid, or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the body has at least one circumferential rib. The body may also have at least one interrupted rib, and may have at least one wall with first and second opposing inwardly-sloped portions.

In an embodiment, the container further includes a structure selected from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, or combinations thereof.

In yet another embodiment, a container is provided and includes a body having a shape selected from the group consisting of substantially square, substantially rectangular, or combinations thereof, a neck, and a shoulder between the body and the neck. The shoulder includes four faces arranged in a square pyramid frustum shape and forming compound-radiused corners at intersections between the four faces and the body. At least two of the four faces includes a cut-away having a shape that is substantially U-shaped.

An advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an improved container.

Another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a container having improved load-bearing and/or vacuum-resistant features.

Still another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a container having a shoulder portion configured to hinge in response to internal vacuum pressure.

Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a container that is constructed and arranged for easy handling by a consumer.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a container in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A shows a side view of a container in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B shows a partial view of section A of the container of FIG. 2A in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to load-bearing and/or vacuum-resistant bottles for providing consumable products and other fluids. The bottles are constructed and arranged to be load-bearing and vacuum resistant to provide a bottle having not only improved structural features, but also improved aesthetics.

Market research has shown that consumers appreciate not only standard cylindrically-shaped bottles, but also uniquely-shaped bottles having shapes including, for example, square, rectangular, ovoid, spherical, etc. Indeed, consumers may even prefer a uniquely-shaped bottle such as, for example, a square or rectangular bottle, to a standard cylindrical bottle. However, square and rectangular bottles usually do not transmit vertical load efficiently. Indeed, square-waisted bottles normally sacrifice top-loading strength when compared to a round, straight-walled bottle of equal mass. Additionally, during packaging, distribution and retail stocking, bottles can be exposed to large amounts of top-loading and can buckle at any existing points of weakness on the bottle. Top-loading can be especially problematic for lightweight bottles.

Additionally, during packaging, distribution and retail stocking, bottles can be exposed to widely varying temperature and pressure changes, as well as external forces that jostle and shake the bottle. If, for example, the bottles contain carbonated fluids, these types of environmental factors can contribute to internal pressures or vacuums that affect the overall quality of the product purchased by the consumer. For example, existing types of vacuum panels, or thin plastic labels, can occupy large areas of the bottle to which they are added and tend to have great visual impacts to the shrink sleeve labels. When an internal vacuum is created within the bottle, the shrink sleeve labels do not always follow the slightly inverted shape of the bottle created by the vacuum, thereby accounting for poor aesthetics of the bottle.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, in an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container, or bottle, 10 having a mouth 12, a neck 14, a shoulder 16, a body 18, and a base 20. Container 10 may be sized to hold any suitable volume of a liquid such as, for example, from about 50 to 5000 mL including 100 mL, 200 mL, 300 mL, 400 mL, 500 mL, 600 mL, 700 mL, 800 mL, 900 mL, 1000 mL, 1500 mL, 2000 mL, 2500 mL, 3000 mL, 3500 mL, 4000 mL, 4500 mL and the like.

Containers of the present disclosure may be configured to house any type of liquid therein. In an embodiment, the containers are configured to house a consumable liquid such as, for example, water, an energy drink, a carbonated drink, tea, coffee, etc. In an embodiment, the containers are sized and configured to house a carbonated beverage.

Suitable materials for manufacturing containers of the present disclosure can include, for example, polymeric materials. Specifically, materials for manufacturing bottles of the present disclosure can include, but are not limited to, polyethylene (“PE”), low density polyethylene (“LDPE”), high density polyethylene (“HDPE”), polypropylene (“PP”) or polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”). Further, the containers of the present disclosure can be manufactured using any suitable manufacturing process such as, for example, conventional extrusion blow molding, stretch blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, and the like.

Mouth 12 may be any size and shape known in the art so long as liquid may be introduced into container 10 and may be poured or otherwise removed from container 10. In an embodiment, mouth 12 may be substantially circular in shape and have a diameter ranging from about 10 mm to about 50 mm, or about 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, or the like. In an embodiment, mouth 12 has a diameter that is about 33 mm.

Neck 14 may also have any size and shape known in the art so long as liquid may be introduced into container 10 and may be poured or otherwise removed from container 10. In an embodiment, neck 14 is substantially cylindrical in shape having a diameter that corresponds to a diameter of mouth 12. Alternatively, neck 14 may have a taped geometry such that neck 14 is substantially conical in shape and tapers up to mouth 12. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the shape and size of neck 14 are not limited to the shape and size of mouth 12. Neck 14 may have a height (from mouth 12 to shoulder 16) from about 5 mm to about 45 mm, or about 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or the like. In an embodiment, neck 14 has a height of about 25 mm.

Container 10 can further include an air tight cap 22 attached to neck 14. Cap 22 can be any type of cap known in the art for use with containers similar to those described herein. Cap 22 may be manufactured from the same or a different type of polymeric material as container 10, and may be attached to container 10 by re-closeable threads, or may be snap-fit, friction-fit, etc. Accordingly, in an embodiment, cap 22 includes internal threads (not shown) that are constructed and arranged to mate with external threads 24 of neck 14.

Shoulder 16 of container 10 extends from a bottom portion of neck 14 downward to a top portion of body 18. Shoulder 16 comprises a shape that is substantially a square pyramid frustum. As used herein, a “square pyramid frustum” means that shoulder 16 has a shape that very closely resembles a square pyramid having four triangular faces and one imaginary square face (not shown) at a base of the square pyramid, and having a top portion (e.g., the apex) of the square pyramid lopped-off. Shoulder 16 has a lopped-off apex since shoulder 16 tapers into neck 14 for functionality of container 10. Further, the “square pyramid frustum” shape also includes rounded edges 28 between triangular faces 26, and rounded edges 30 between each triangular face 26 and the imaginary square base, as will be discussed further below.

Shoulder 16 may have a height (from a bottom of neck 14 to a top of body 18) ranging from about 15 mm to about 50 mm, or about 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, or the like. In an embodiment, shoulder 16 has a height that is about 35 mm. At a bottom portion (e.g., before body 18), shoulder 16 may have a width and a length ranging from about 40 mm to about 80 mm, or about 45 mm, 50 mm, 55 mm, 60 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, or the like. In an embodiment, the width and the length of a bottom portion of shoulder 16 are the same and are about 60 mm. Alternatively, the width and the length of a bottom portion of shoulder 16 may be different.

As mentioned previously, containers of the present disclosure may be used to house carbonated liquids, or may be exposed to temperature and/or pressure changes during packaging, shipping, storage and/or retail display. Any of the above-described factors (e.g., carbonation, temperature changes, pressure changes, etc.) can contribute to the presence of an internal vacuum within sealed container 10 when container 10 houses a liquid. This is problematic for aesthetic reasons because triangular faces 26 can buckle, or sag, towards an interior of container 10. Sagging of this nature causes an unappealing aesthetic for container 10 that may be even further emphasized when container 10 includes an exterior label (not shown) (e.g., a sticker, shrink-wrap, plastic wrap, etc.) that covers at least a portion of triangular faces 26. In this regard, sagging of triangular faces 26 can pull them away from any exterior label, creating an undesirable aesthetic.

Additionally, when containers 10 are mass produced for retail distribution, they may be packaged, shipped, stored and/or displayed in a stacked position that exposes containers 10 to top-loading. As mentioned above, however, although consumers may prefer the aesthetics of a substantially square-shaped, or substantially rectangular-shaped container, such containers do not distribute load well and are susceptible to buckling under top-loading. Applicants have surprisingly found, however, that certain structural features can help to improve a container's performance when exposed to an internal vacuum, top-loading, or compressive forces.

One such feature is a cut-away portion 32 that is included on each triangular face 26. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, cut-away portion 32 has a substantially U-shaped, or horseshoe-shaped, configuration. Applicants have surprisingly found that providing cut-away portion 32 having a substantially U-shaped, or horseshoe-shaped configuration helps to resist any internal vacuum that may be created in container 10 during packaging, shipping, storage and/or retail display. Applicants performed various tests to determine the best possible shape and size of cut-away portion 32 to resist vacuum deformation and surprisingly concluded that the U-shaped feature provided the best resistance to vacuum deformation. In the present embodiment each of the four faces 26 has a cut-away portion 32 but the number can vary and it is possible to have only two cut-away portion on the container.

The skilled artisan will appreciate that, although cut-away portion 32 is described herein as being “cut-away,” the U-shaped feature is not meant to be limited to formation by actually cutting material out of container 10. Instead, “cut-away” portion 32 is meant to describe an area of shoulder 16 having a specific shape and a wall thickness that is less than the wall thickness of a remaining portion of shoulder 16. Accordingly, cut-away portion 32 may be formed into a container preform during a blow-molding process, may be cut out of a container after formation of container 10, or may be formed by other known processes for creating such features. In an embodiment, cut-away portion 32 is formed into the container during blow-molding. In this regard, the decreased thickness of cut-away portion 32 is formed as a product of the greater stretching of the polymer resin that occurs near the edges of the cut-away portion 32 during blow-molding. The skilled artisan will understand, then, that a mold used to form a plastic preform into a container having a cut-away portion 32 includes a corresponding U-shaped projection that extends into an interior of the mold.

In an embodiment, cut-away portion 32 is located in a center of triangular face 26, as measured vertically and horizontally. The skilled artisan will appreciate, however, that cut-away portion 32 may be moved slightly higher, lower, left or right of the center of triangular face 16. Similarly, the opening of the u-shaped cut-away portion 32 may be oriented in any direction including left, right, up, down, or combinations thereof. For example, the opening may be oriented to point upward as is shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B. In an embodiment, a base of the u-shaped cut-away portion 32 is oriented Cut-away portion 32 may have a height that comprises from about 10% to about 80% of a height of triangular face 16, or about 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or the like. Similarly, cut-away portion 32 may have a width that comprises from about 10% to about 80% of a width of triangular face 16, or about 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or the like.

Cut-away portion 32 has a thickness that is generally less than a thickness of the walls of body 18, which is due to the greater stretching of the resin that occurs near the edges of cut-away portion 32 during blow-molding, as discussed previously. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, a wall thickness of an area inside the c-shaped interior of cut-away portion 32 (e.g., thickness 1, designated as “t₁”), can range from about 0.4 mm to about 0.6 mm, or about 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.50, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, or the like. In an embodiment, t₁ is about 0.49 mm. A wall thickness of an area inside cut-away portion 32 (e.g., thickness 2, designated as “t₂”), can range from about 0.3 mm to about 0.4 mm, or about 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, or the like. In an embodiment, t₂ is about 0.36 mm. A wall thickness of an area just below a base of cut-away portion 32 (e.g., thickness 3, designated as “t₃”), can range from about 0.25 mm to about 0.4 mm, or about 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.30, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, or the like. In an embodiment, t₃ is about 0.31 mm. A wall thickness of an area just outside side walls of cut-away portion 32 (e.g., thickness 4, designated as “t₄”), can range from about 0.25 mm to about 0.4 mm, or about 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.30, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, or the like. In an embodiment, t₄ is about 0.33 mm.

Cut-away portions 32 of shoulder 16 are configured to hinge, or move, allowing contraction of the bottle while allowing the bottle to maintain a visually appealing design that conventional vacuum panels do not allow. In this regard, the cut-away portions 32 are designed to hinge as internal vacuum pressure increases during the shelf-life of the product. The configuration works with any applied labels or shrink-wrap applied to container 10 to create an outside appearance that is free from visual defects.

Another feature of the present containers that provides structural benefits is the presence of compound radiused corners on a bottom portion of shoulder 16, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. As mentioned previously, shoulder 16 includes rounded edges 28 between triangular faces 26, and rounded edges 30 between each triangular face 26 and an imaginary square face (not shown) on a bottom of the square pyramid frustum. Applicants have surprisingly found that providing multiple radiuses at the corners of container 10, or the intersections of rounded edges 28 and rounded edges 30 provides significant structural advantages over corners having single radius corners. Specifically, Applicants have surprisingly found that multiple radiused corners helps to improve the performance of the present containers when exposed to top-loading, or compressive forces. In this regard, containers of the present disclosure will be able to withstand increased amounts of top-loading, or compressive forces, when compared to similar containers currently on the market.

As used herein, a “multiple radiused corner” or a “compound radiused corner” refers to a corner of the present containers that has multiple radii (as measured substantially from the center of a horizontal plane extending though the intersection between shoulder 16 and body 18) in the horizontal, vertical, or horizontal and vertical directions. The compound-radiused corners of the present disclosure may include any number of radii in either the horizontal direction, vertical direction, or both. For example, the compound-radiused corners may include any number of different radii ranging from about at least 2 to about 10, or at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, or the like.

Practically speaking, the skilled artisan will appreciate that providing a compound radiused corner instead of a single radiused corner provides a corner having a more curved intersection of rounded edges 30, as opposed to a corner that is a straight, diagonal connection of rounded edges 30. For example, and as shown in FIG. 2B, radii 1-6 (i.e., r1, r2, r3, r4, r5 and r6) demonstrate a plurality of different radii extending in a substantially horizontal direction. The use of a plurality of different radii (i.e., a compound radiused corner) creates a more rounded corner in a substantially horizontal direction. Additionally, and as shown in FIG. 2B, radii r8-r11 (i.e., r8, r9, r10 and r11) demonstrate a plurality of different radii extending in a substantially vertical direction. The use of a plurality of different radii (i.e., a compound radiused corner) creates a more rounded corner in a substantially vertical direction. The skilled artisan will appreciate that any number of radii greater than one may be used with the containers of the present disclosure.

As mentioned previously, Applicants have surprisingly found that providing multiple radiused corners helps to improve the performance of the present containers when exposed to top-loading, or compressive forces, and resistance to vacuum. Indeed, the geometry of the corners acts like rounded corners, but looks like square corners, which can provide appealing aesthetics for consumers. The multiple blended radii can efficiently transmit load throughout the bottle walls to the base and equally distribute vertical loading around the bottle while maintaining the shape of container 10 (e.g., a square shape).

Immediately below shoulder 16 is body 18 of container 10. Body 18 may have any size and shape known in the art and is not limited to a substantially square or substantially rectangular shape, despite the square pyramid frustum shape of shoulder 16. For example, body 18 may have a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, ovoid, etc. In an embodiment, however, body 18 has a shape that is substantially square or substantially rectangular.

Similar to shoulder 16, body 18 may have rounded edges 34 if body 18 is substantially square or substantially rectangular in shape, as best shown in FIG. 1. Again, rounded edges 34 will help to improve the performance of the present containers when exposed to top-loading, or compressive forces.

Body 18 may have any length, width or height known in the art. In this regard, body 18 may have a height ranging from about 50 mm to about 110 mm, or about 55 mm, 60 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm, 75 mm, 80 mm, 85 mm, 90 mm, 95 mm, 100 mm, 105 mm, or the like. In an embodiment, body 18 has a height of about 80 mm. If body 18 is substantially square-shaped or substantially rectangular-shaped with a specific length and width, the length and width may be the same. Alternatively, the width of body 18 may be different from the length of body 18. Even further, the length and width of body 18 may change with respect to the height of body 18. For example, and as shown in FIG. 1, body 18 may include at least a first portion 36 and a second portion 38 having mirror-image, inward-directed slopes as measured with respect to a vertical, central axis of container 10. Inward-directed slopes may have an angle ranging from about 5° to about 45°, or about 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, or the like. In an embodiment, inward-directed slopes have an angle of about 15°. Accordingly, as the height of container 10 increase or decreases, either or both of the length and width of body 18 may change as well. Such a configuration provides the added benefit of ease of handling for the consumer. In this regard, the two mirror-image, inward-directed sloped portions 36, 38 of body 18 meet at a tapered portion of body 18 that helps consumer to grip container 10 for ease of handling. Containers of the present disclosure are not limited to such first and second portions 36, 38, however, and body 18 may have substantially straight walls and/or other appropriate configurations.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tapered portion of body 18 where the two mirror-image, inward-directed sloped portions 36, 38 of body 18 meet may include a circumferential rib 40 that also helps a consumer to grip container 10 for ease of handling. By “circumferential rib,” it is meant that a rib (e.g., and indented or protruding elongated shape) extends all the way around container 10 in a substantially horizontal plane. Container 10 may have any number of circumferential ribs 40 and is not limited to just one. Circumferential rib 40 may also be located at any place along the height of body 18.

Circumferential rib 40 may have a height that ranges from about 0.5 to about 5 mm, or 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm, or the like. Circumferential rib 40 may also extend a certain amount into interior of container 10. For example, rib 40 may extend into container 10 by an amount ranging from about 0.5 to about 5 mm, or 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm, or the like. Applicants have found that rib 40 can help to maintain an intended shape of container 10. For example, if container 10 has a substantially square-shape or a substantially-rectangular shape, rib 40 can help to limit container 10 from forming an oval shape during use. Rib 40 also enables even contraction of container 10 vertically, thereby allowing internal pressure to build within and enabling greater top-loading.

In addition to circumferential rib 40, body 18 may also include an number of interrupted ribs 42, which are described as “interrupted” because they do not extend all the way around container 10 but are, instead, interrupted around container 10. Body 18 may have any number of interrupted ribs 42 ranging, for example, from about 1 to about 10, or 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or the like. Interrupted ribs 42 help to resist vacuum deformation of the triangular faces 26. Each rib 42 is supported on its ends by the corners 34 of body 18, forming a bridge across body 18. By interrupting ribs 42 at the corners 34 of body 18, limited visual impact can be attained for any applied labels or shrink sleeves.

Interrupted ribs 42 may have the same height and depth into container 10 as circumferential rib 40. Interrupted ribs 42 may also have, however, a different height and depth into container 10 as circumferential rib 40. Ribs 42 may have a length ranging from about 15 mm to about 45 mm, or 20 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or the like. In an embodiment, ribs 42 have a length of about 30 mm. The length and radius of the ribs can also aid in preventing vacuum deformation. In fact, Applicants surprisingly found that full ribs (i.e., circumferential ribs) were not necessary to help prevent vacuum deformation and may even contribute to poor aesthetics with respect to a label or shrink-wrap applied to container 10.

Container 10 can have a broad base 20 so as to be able to stand up when the container is completely filled, partially filled or empty. Base 20 can have any size or shape known in the art. However, in an embodiment, base 20 includes a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of body 18. In this regard, if body 18 is substantially square-shaped with a specific length and width, base 20 may also be substantially square-shaped with the same length and width. Alternatively, the skilled artisan will appreciate that base 20 is not limited to the size and shape of body 18 and may have a different size and shape than body 18. Base 20 may have a height ranging from about 5 mm to about 45 mm, or about 10 mm, or 15 mm, or 20 mm, or 25 mm, or 30 mm, or 35 mm, or 40 mm, or the like. Base 20 may be substantially vertical in arrangement, or may be shaped (e.g., semi-circular), or may taper inward in an upward direction from a bottom surface 44 of container 10. Base 20 is shaped and configured to contract under vertical load, absorbing and distributing loads over a greater area.

Similar to body 18, base 20 may also include one or more interrupted ribs 46 that may or may not have the same size and shape as ribs 42. In an embodiment, base 20 includes one rib 46 that has the same length as ribs 42, but a slightly shorter height.

Bottom surface 44 of container 10 may also include a punt 48 formed therein. Punt 48 may provide additional structural integrity to container 10 and may aid in stacking containers 10 one on top of another.

The structural features of the present containers described herein advantageously allow for a preform of less mass to be used. The reduced use of resin in the containers provides the advantage of a lower cost per unit and increased sustainability when compared to a bottle without such structural features. Further, by manufacturing the containers of the present disclosure using lower amounts of raw materials, the bottles can provide lower environmental and waste impact. Along the same lines, the bottles can be constructed to use less disposal volume than other plastic bottles designed for similar uses.

Additionally, the containers of the present disclosure can also improve the ease of use and handling by manufacturers, retails and consumers. In this regard, the structural features described herein provide for improved top-loading and reduced vacuum deformation to help achieve a square shape to containers that is desirable by consumers. Further, the same cut-out feature that provides for decreased usage of raw material can also help to resist any internal vacuums within the containers, thereby helping to prevent any misshaping of the bottle that can result in poor aesthetics.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. 

1. A container comprising: a body; a neck; and a shoulder between the body and the neck, the shoulder comprising four faces arranged in a square pyramid frustum shape, at least two of the four faces comprising a cut-away portion having a shape that is substantially U-shaped.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, ovoid, and combinations thereof.
 3. The container of claim 2, wherein the body has a shape that is substantially rectangular.
 4. The container of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least one circumferential rib.
 5. The container of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least one interrupted rib.
 6. The container of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least one wall having first and second opposing inwardly-sloped portions.
 7. The container of claim 6, wherein the first and second opposing inwardly-sloping portions are mirror images of each other and are reflected about a location on the body corresponding to a circumferential rib.
 8. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a volume ranging from of about 100 mL to about 5000 mL.
 9. The container of claim 1 further comprising a structure selected from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, and combinations thereof.
 10. A container comprising: a body; a neck; and a shoulder between the body and the neck, the shoulder comprising four faces arranged in a square pyramid frustum shape and forming compound-radiused corners at intersections between the four faces and the body.
 11. The container of claim 10, wherein the compound-radiused corners are radiused in a direction selected from the group consisting of horizontal, vertical, and combinations thereof.
 12. The container of claim 10, wherein each compound-radiused corner includes at least two different radii.
 13. The container of claim 10, wherein each of the four faces intersect along a rounded edge.
 14. The container of claim 10, wherein each of the four faces intersect with the body along a rounded edge.
 15. The container of claim 10, wherein the body comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, square, rectangular, ovoid, and combinations thereof.
 16. The container of claim 10, wherein the body comprises at least one circumferential rib.
 17. The container of claim 10, wherein the body comprises at least one interrupted rib.
 18. The container of claim 10, wherein the body comprises at least one wall having first and second opposing inwardly-sloped portions.
 19. The container of claim 10 comprising a structure selected from the group consisting of a mouth, a cap, a base, and combinations thereof.
 20. A container comprising: a body having a shape selected from the group consisting of substantially square, substantially rectangular, and combinations thereof; a neck; and a shoulder between the body and the neck, the shoulder comprising four faces arranged in a square pyramid frustum shape and forming compound-radiused corners at intersections between the four faces and the body, and wherein at least two of the four faces comprises a cut-away portion having a shape that is substantially U-shaped. 